Kate has lived in Dane County for over 45 years and in District #37 for over 25 of those years. She lives in Cambridge with her husband Bob; they have one son, Augie, born in 1996.
Kate got married, built her business, and raised her family in District #37. She is a proud product of public education in Wisconsin, from grade school in rural Argyle to high school and college in Madison. She earned a Bachelors of Science in Special Education and a Master’s Degree in Behavioral Disabilities from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Kate has spent her career advocating for people with disabilities, first as a special education teacher and department chair in Sun Prairie and then as an internationally-recognized autism specialist. She launched her autism consulting small business in the late 1990s and has since consulted and presented all across Wisconsin, the United States, and overseas. She is an author of multiple books and academic articles to help others understand autistic neurology and enhance the lives of those with autism both inside and outside the classroom.
Kate’s decades of public service in Dane County include the Fair Housing Council, the Dane County Jail and the Family Support and Resource Center. Kate has served her community throughout her 25+ years in Cambridge, including with the Parent Teacher Organization, where she chaired the Membership and Wellness Committees; as a Youth Soccer Coach, and as Chair of the local Juried Art Fair. She has been a leader on multiple Cambridge School District Task Forces, including the Wellness and Health Curriculum Review, Finance and Facilities Referendum Committee, and the Performing Arts Center Referendum Task Force.
Since 2017, Kate has been involved in community organizing through Cambridge Action. This group has partnered with the League of Women Voters and the local library in voter registration efforts, launched a PFLAG chapter in Cambridge, brought a racial equity speaker and event to the community, hosted candidate discussions/forums for local and state elections, and helped to achieve 87% voter turnout in the 2018 elections.
Kate looks forward to paying back District #37 for the many happy years this beautiful district has provided through working every day to deliver results on issues like rural broadband access, transportation alternatives and senior services during her time as your Dane County Board Supervisor.